Firefighters battle fire in tower block in East London

LONDON - Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters are tackling a serious fire inside a flat in a 22-storey tower block in East London, London Fire Brigade said Friday.

Local media reported that a huge plume of smoke was seen rising from the flat which was well alight, sparking fears that the fire could spread to neighboring flats.

London Fire Brigade said they have been called to a flat fire in Wellington Way, Mile End as half of a flat on the 12th floor is alight.

The brigade said its 999 Control Officers have taken more than 90 calls to the fire.

"The Brigade was called at 1228. Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Shadwell, Stratford, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene," it said in a statement.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.